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PRATTVILLE - There's a bit of a building boom going on in Prattville. Again.

Orange dirt being moved around is a common occurrence in the city. For the period of July 1, 2017, to June 30 there have been 30 new businesses open or announce they are coming to Prattville, totaling a $75 million total capital investment bringing in 534 jobs, data from the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce shows. And the growth covers retail, commercial and professional spheres.

"This beautiful new building changes everything," said Collat School of Business Dean Eric P. Jack. "This addition to UAB's campus heralds a new era of leadership in business education that will help drive innovation at UAB and in Birmingham for many years to come."

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Friday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. at 1201 University Blvd. Students will begin classes for the fall semester Monday, Aug. 27.

Montgomery's Air University is collaborating with the city of Montgomery, Montgomery County and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce on the new venture, and officials will gather Aug. 28 for a preview of the building before an official opening.

The center is expected to "facilitate and accelerate" experimentation with emerging technologies and solve real-world problems for the U.S. Air Force.

A Birmingham-based health tech company is partnering with an Atlanta firm on a four-state venture.

IllumiCare and Vizient Southern States, a membership alliance of not-for-profit health care providers, are teaming up to provide lower-cost option information to member healthcare systems in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.

The venture will use IllumiCare's Smart Ribbon, which assists healthcare providers by displaying real-time cost, risk and other data on healthcare options, the company said. This gives providers the financial cost and potential risks of medications, labs and radiology tests.

Governor Ivey Establishes Statewide Group to Prepare Alabama for Maximum Participation in 2020 U.S. Census

By Office of the Governor

August 20, 2018

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed an executive order establishing a state-level committee designed to prepare Alabama for maximum participation in the 2020 U.S. Census.

The Alabama Counts! 2020 Census Committee will serve as an advisory group made up of public and private statewide organizations to recommend and implement strategies for raising awareness of the 2020 census. As mandated by the Constitution, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of the United States population every 10 years. Starting April 1, 2020, each Alabama household should receive a postcard from the Census Bureau encouraging them to complete their census form online or by phone or to call a number to request a paper form.